Brake Fluid change interval?

[08grey]

I turkey baste it every season. You can get a large brake fluid jug from Walmart pretty cheap.

 

[about20ninj45]

I turkey baste it every season. You can get a large brake fluid jug from Walmart pretty cheap.

Absolutely horrible

 

[CrashTestDummy]

I have 187k on my 07' and have never had a shop flush mine. What I've been doing since day one is every other oil change, I use a turkey baster and take out as much fluid out of the reservoir and replace it with fresh stuff. Takes 2 minutes and I know it's done right.

While I don't do it every other oil change, I do this once a year on all of our vehicles. Since starting this process, I have, so far, never had to replace a master cylinder, caliper or wheel cylinder. We always have about a dozen vehicles in our 'collection', with the oldest being a 68 Cadillac. I'll note here that we live in the Texas Gulf coast area, so we're in quite a humid environment. This method has worked for us.

I did buy a Motive brake bleeder kit, but I could never get the damned thing to pressurize, so I've never used it. It went into the recycle bin about the 4th time I tried to use it. I may go back to trying the DIY version, but haven't gotten far with this venture yet.

Remember that some ABS systems (Dodge, especially), don't cooperate well with the 'mash the brake pedal and open a bleeder' method of brake bleeding, so you'll want to be careful with an ABS system.

 

[Wake]

When replacing pads/rotors or brake lines. Its always a good rule of thumb to flush the lines for any contaminates prior to install. Any time you see a leak or bleed, remember, if fluid can get out, air can get in. Also, make sure your brake reservoir cap is completely sealed, this mainly the source of moisture intruding the system.


Copper strip testing and electronic moisture testing is overkill. I would just inspect the fluid after bleeding the system. Id recommend brake fluid change intervals every 2 years.

That's what I use as a rule of thumb. Bleeding brakes is pretty easy with one of those one man bleeder kits.

I've read somewhere that with the introduction of ABS systems that keeping the brake system free of moisture became more important. I know I also find some moisture in the brake system at the 2 yr interval of flushing. Living in a high humidity environment that isn't unexpected to me.